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Pacific Pioneers: the story of the engineers of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Pacific

II. Major A. H. Johnston's account of the Mono landing — 27 October, 1943: Reveille 0400. Breakfast 0500

II. Major A. H. Johnston's account of the Mono landing
27 October, 1943: Reveille 0400. Breakfast 0500.

A fine, very hot, sunny day. Most boats landed without opposition except for the Higgins boats which were machine gunned on landing. LCIs beached at 0640, LSTs at 0715, LCTs at 0830. Shortly after the LST's started unloading Jap mortars and mountain guns opened up on the LSTs and beaches. Our Hq and stores area came in for a pasting but the value of digging fox-holes immediately was proven, as we had only one casualty. Hq then moved 100 yards inland to the village and the OC and 2/ic recced for a more permanent site 200 yards into the jungle. We started immediately to move the Hq and stores and had just got the first load of stores up when the village was shelled and subjected to mortar fire. No casualties ensued but a fair amount of equipment, including a No. 4 pump set, two S tanks and four assault boats were destroyed. Most of the company records and stationery also went up in flames when the village caught fire page 97and the ammunition dump went up. Our new Hq was then bombed and shelled. Sergeant-Major Beehag was killed and three other men wounded. The rest of the day was spent digging fox-holes and salvaging stores. The Japs infiltrated at night and air raids were continuous. It was a very anxious time. The OC transferred to Stirling Island and a combined engineers Hq was set up with No. 3 platoon, which had landed unopposed on Stirling. No. 1 platoon which had landed under command 36th Battalion started immediately putting dump roads in their area and cutting tracks towards Saveke River for the infantry and towards Keogh's Creek for a water point. Bulldozer operators, Sappers Duncan and O'Rourke, did a very fine job keeping going through shell and mortar fire, as also did Sapper Hammond in acting as bull-dozer covering party. Booby traps were prepared for the infantry and an anxious night was also spent here. No. 2 platoon, using the D-4 for making tracks, laid down beach matting and recced for water points and further roads. The D-4 broke down at 1030 hours, having been hit by shrapnel. Lieutenant Symon, who had been early wounded by mortar fire, and all other wounded were evacuated on LSTs in the evening to Guadalcanal.

28 October: All platoons, continued roading on Mono.

Roads to water points on Keogh's and Bryant's Creeks were finished and purification sets taken up and set in operation by 1600 hours. Construction of stands and turnarounds for the water carts was begun. Corporal Mackersey and four sappers demolished two Jap mountain guns on the heights above Saveke River. Hq bulldozer was again in action but broke down finally with its crown wheel and bevel pinion gone. On Stirling the D-8 completed 500 yards of track towards Soala Lake. Wells were dug and water obtained from hand-operated German filter sets, each capable of producing 40 gallons an hour A demolition party blasted the coral reef at the PT boat dock. Hq and parties from Numbers 1 and 2 platoons searched for stores buried by bombing yesterday. Fox-holes were dug or improved for another sleepless night.

29 October: D-4s prepared sites for bofors guns and for the radar. Dump roads were continued and improvements to water points and stand erection continued. It is very muddy for " miles. The men are continually wet and sleep in wet clothing. About 20 have only what they stand up in, since valises were burnt in the village. Supplies were being unloaded at the dumps.

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On Stirling the water point at Soala Lake is in operation and the D-8 working with the CB machine has made 1,900 yards of road. Defective artillery ammunition and grenades were demolished.

30 October: Corduroy turnarounds for the water points being completed. Great difficulty has been experienced in installing the NZ water purification set. Roads are in a terrible condition, but clearing and making of new tracks continues. Hq is still sorting and collecting equipment. There are still a few Japs around at night, especially in the Saveke area. No. 1 and 2 platoons booby trapped this area and about six traps were sprung. Bloodstains were found but the dead, if any, were carried away. We were ordered at one hour's notice to prepare the road from Falamai to Malsi. A recce party was sent out.